63A – All Saints Day

PRAYER OF ADORATION AND CONFESSION (from Psalm 34:1-9; 19-22)
I will bless the LORDwith praise continually in my mouth.The depths of my being glory in the LORD,and when the poorest of the poor hear they will rejoice.Praise the LORD with me,and let us exalt the name of the LORD together.I sought the LORD and the LORD answered me;and from all my terrors the LORD rescued me.Look to the LORD and let the presence of the LORD shine from you;
your faces will not blush with shame.In my desolation I called to the LORD,
and the LORD delivered me from all my distress.The LORD’s messenger is camped around those who fear him,
ready to rescue them.Taste and see how good the LORD is;
seek refuge in the LORD and you will be satisfied.Loving God,
in our human condition you know who we are, and what we are;
you know our awkwardness with ourselves, with each other, and with you. (a time of silence)Help our unbelief;
give us the boldness, by the presence of your Spirit,
to believe in your possibilities for us.LORD God, you are very close to the broken-hearted,
and you save those with a crushed spirit.
You rescue those in the right from all their hardships,
caring about every bone in their body, so that not one shall be broken.
The wicked will be destroyed by evil,
and those who hate the just will be desolate.O LORD, you redeem the life of your servants:
no one seeking refuge in you is forsaken.
I will bless the LORD
with praise continually in my mouth. Amen.

A CREATIVE MOMENT
During one All Saints Day service (held at the local cemetery) members were invited to write on coloured note-paper the name/names of those they were remembering. These were then tucked into the wire-mesh wrapped wooden cross standing in the centre of the worship space. Later these notes were gathered and burnt.

BURNING THE NAMES
Just as part of the purpose of a funeral
is to dispose reverently of a body,
so it is important in a memorial service such as this
that we dispose reverently of reminders and symbols
used or created here today.
One of the most potent realities of life and death in our country
is the bushfire.
But out of the devastating reality comes resurrection – new life.
The names of those we have placed on the cross
will now be gathered and burnt.
The names will remain on our lips;
the memories within us.
The flame burns bright –
a reminder of Jesus’ words, “I am the light of the world.”
The smoke rises and is carried on the wind
which blows where it chooses,
(The names are set alight)
Bless to us, O God,
the names we carry on our lips,
of the saints who have gone before us.
Bless to us the memories we carry in our hearts
of their lives shared with us. (Followed by a closing prayer and blessing.)

On another occasion tapers were lit by family members or friends during a memorial roll call. (This was an indoor memorial service.)

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE(A prayer to gather the spoken and silent concerns/joys/thanks expressed by the congregation and lead into a more structured Intercession with connection to the lections for the day. Sometimes this prayer will borrow lightly from other sources e.g. Uniting in Worship 2 or publications of the Iona Community. )

Loving God,
present amid the confusion and strife of the world,
in your steadfast love
whisper your healing word
to those whose troubles are known only to you.
and by the warmth of your Spirit
encourage and sustain
those who we name in our hearts and on our lips…
Hear our prayer, in Jesus’ name…(The Prayers of the People continue)